The Shermans are coming!!! (1 Viewer)

[Fullyautomatic]

Dragon has announced a July release of their first 1/72 M4A3(76),761st Tank Bn. Black Panther Task Force,Rhine Germany. You can now pre-order from The Toy Federation or check out thier website for pic.
Info from the Toy Fed:

1st M4A3(76)W & 1st U.S. WWII vehicle in this series!
You asked for it....now it's on the way! Destined to become one of the most sought after items in the series, this M4A3(76)W showcases the 761st Tank Battalion as it fought in Task Force Rhine in Germany, 1945.

This high-quality 1/72 scale model is finished in an olive drab and black camouflage scheme, and has a lively array of markings. Their motto was “Come Out Fighting”, and with a model of such distinction, collectors can now begin fielding some American tanks!

Main Features:
- 1st M4A3(76)W & 1st U.S. WWII vehicle in this series!
- Highly popular and collectible item
- True to 1/72 scale
- Fully accurate mold
- Detailed markings and replicates an actual tank as seen in combat photos
- Realistic olive drab and black camouflage
- Fully assembled
- Historically accurate markings and insignia
- Includes protective display case

About the 761st Tank Battalion:
The 761st Tank Battalion, was a United States Army tank battalion during World War II. The unit was made up of black soldiers, who by Federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops. (The US Army did not officially desegregate until after World War II). They were known as the "Black Panthers" after their unit's shoulder sleeve insignia. Their motto was "Come out fighting".

 

[Leadmen]

That sounds interesting to finally release some allied stuff. Wonder if it will be a diorama set like some they released. I see a new Normandy Panther and stug is released but at $22.00 I might have reserve thoughts about purchasing future vehicles. Especially if they add more plastic. I could make the kits. Squadron selling kits for five dollars. Like to see a Sherman firefly and Priest or tank destroyers come out. John

 

[OzDigger]

Dragon models have great detail and cheap as, what a shame I recently bought several Matchbox Shermans from a fellow forumite. They are good but not as detailed as Dragon IMO, but much heavier.

 

[Fubar]

1/72 scale is drivng me crazy but thus far my discipline holds firm!Famous last words.There is simply so much available these days and the prices are very reasonable.
My 12 year old needs a hobby besides video games.Hmmm?
The Fube

 

[Leadmen]

Go for it Fubarrrr! I would like to see you get companies of Shermans, Tigers etc. set up. The Dragon tanks are addicting to collect. I know I will get more of them. Building tank kits not bad but painting them takes too much time now. I don't know why they make that photo-etch for that scale. Guess I am not anal enough for that. Individual track links in 72 scale, might has well do micro-surgery. Leadmen

 

[Fubar]

We shall see. I was at Brookhurst hobbies while on vacation in April and they had rows of Dragon and some other 1/72 tanks as well as a wall full of figures, buildings , ruins, enough for a wargamers --- dream.The wheeels in my head started turning , again. Bad sign.
I would fund my kids collection so we could share it, but he likes the bigger figures and tanks and we seldom do anything with those.I'm not sure he would go for this, or if he did , stick with it.

I'll try some arm twisting and other coercive techniques.He does need a hobby.
FubaRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

[OzDigger]

Another good thing with Dragon 1/72 tanks is that they fit exactly with my Corgi Aviation Archive aircraft. I used to have mainly 1/50 scale Solido and related tanks and 1/48 CDC/Armour/Franklin Mint aircraft but I've been selling them off as they take up to much room.

 

[VIRIATO]

Another good thing with Dragon 1/72 tanks is that they fit exactly with my Corgi Aviation Archive aircraft. I used to have mainly 1/50 scale Solido and related tanks and 1/48 CDC/Armour/Franklin Mint aircraft but I've been selling them off as they take up to much room.

Hi,
That's pretty curious! Last year I started to get 1/48 or 1/50 tanks ( Corgi, Tank Museum, Verem, Solido ), then I found Dragon Armour already this year and that got me into 1/72 ( besides Dragon got some fantastic Matchbox and one CDC piece ). Now I am just starting to get into 1/72 aircraft ( Corgi, Ixo, etc. ). Room is clearly a factor, especially with aircraft.
Which of these brands do you rate as the best aviation: Dragon Warbirds, Corgi Aviation, IXO, Witty Wings, old Matchbox )?
Also expect Dragon to start making many more allied tanks, they certainly have the skill to offer great tanks, and the Allies are in bad need of help ( such a number of German tanks, fortunately reality was the other way around ).

Regards,
Paulo

 

[OzDigger]

Hi,
That's pretty curious! Last year I started to get 1/48 or 1/50 tanks ( Corgi, Tank Museum, Verem, Solido ), then I found Dragon Armour already this year and that got me into 1/72 ( besides Dragon got some fantastic Matchbox and one CDC piece ). Now I am just starting to get into 1/72 aircraft ( Corgi, Ixo, etc. ). Room is clearly a factor, especially with aircraft.
Which of these brands do you rate as the best aviation: Dragon Warbirds, Corgi Aviation, IXO, Witty Wings, old Matchbox )?
Also expect Dragon to start making many more allied tanks, they certainly have the skill to offer great tanks, and the Allies are in bad need of help ( such a number of German tanks, fortunately reality was the other way around ).

Regards,
Paulo

Hi Paulo

When I think of it, it must be well over twenty years ago when I bought my first Solido tank. They were about the only decent diecast tanks around at the time at a reasonable cost. Polistil 1/50 tanks were much better but harder to find - and still are. I also bought a number of Tank Museum and Gas-O-Line remodels over the years. But when I saw the incredible detail on the small Dragon tanks I realised that Tank Museum and Gas-O-Line were overpriced and could never match the Dragons for detail.

1/72 is now my standard scale for collecting. I still buy the occassional 1/32 FOV tank as well as extending my K&C figure collection. However I just find the 1/72 gear provides excellent value for money and the savings in space are considerable. Which is important when you have over thirty years of collectables lying around the house

Yes there are way to many German tanks and I know several guys that have gone overboard collecting every issue, which most now regret. Personally I usually just get an Early, Mid-production and Late production variant of each mold (in different colors) - that's more than enough for me.

 

[OzDigger]

Here is a closeup of one of the new Sherman molds from Dragon.

Check out the detail on these little 1/72 suckers:

 

[Firebat]

Here is a closeup of one of the new Sherman molds from Dragon.

Check out the detail on these little 1/72 suckers:

COOL.......I guess this means I have to find a budget for 1/72nd. Hang in there my man.....Don't let anyone intimidate you....demand what you want Firebat

 

[Fullyautomatic]

The Shermans are here OZ.Two new versions are at the dealers now. I'm placing my order today. I think there are also two new Jagpanzers with sideskirts plus a captured T-34 in German markings... Still awating the Hummel...

 

[OzDigger]

The Shermans are here OZ.Two new versions are at the dealers now. I'm placing my order today. I think there are also two new Jagpanzers with sideskirts plus a captured T-34 in German markings... Still awating the Hummel...

I'm still waiting on a box of Dragon and FOV 1/72 goodies from my downunder supplier. I missed out on the grey 251 halftrack, but I'm sure there will be more versions.

 

[Fullyautomatic]

Tan version of the halftrack is already out now OZ.

 

[VIRIATO]

They look great ( the Shermans ), but I have already bought some Matchbox/Cdc Armour versions, so I guess I'll pass. If you like heavy metal maybe you'd prefer the Matchbox/CDC versions. I have one Matchbox Sherman with the same camo as Dragon's 75mm, and I like it's painting and insignia better than Dragons. That said I have a number of Dragon tanks and love them but they are all...German! Let's hope the tide is now turning in favor of the Allies...

 

[OzDigger]

Hi Viriato, I already have five Matchbox Shermans myself and they sure have more metal than Dragon's, but imo the Dragon Shermans are better detailed and I'll be adding at least one to my collection.

 

[Crossroads]

I see that Dragon has another Sherman in the works. It has a scheduled release date of October. This one is a M4A1 from the 7th Armoured Division, France 1944.

Ronnie
www.crossroadsdiecast.com

 

[VIRIATO]

Hi Viriato, I already have five Matchbox Shermans myself and they sure have more metal than Dragon's, but imo the Dragon Shermans are better detailed and I'll be adding at least one to my collection.

Hi Oz,
Speaking of Dragon, Matchbox,and... Corgi Aviation...

 

[VIRIATO]

But also Altaya and Aoshima... and Corgi again...

 

[OzDigger]

Hi,
Now I am just starting to get into 1/72 aircraft ( Corgi, Ixo, etc. ). Room is clearly a factor, especially with aircraft.
Which of these brands do you rate as the best aviation: Dragon Warbirds, Corgi Aviation, IXO, Witty Wings, old Matchbox )?
Regards,
Paulo

Hi Paulo, Some nice models you have there. Btw, I just realised I didn't answer your earlier question.

I would place them in this order overall:

1 Corgi Aviation
2 Dragon
3 Witty Wings
4 Old Matchbox
5 IXO

However I have to say that Witty Wings are still improving and their more recent molds such as the Zero are better than Corgi's.

Dragon has better panel lines than Corgi but they do have more fiddly bits that fall off their models.

Matchbox have some good models but none have undercarriage so must be displayed on stands, and I prefer my aircraft on wheels.

I have a number of IXO models that other companies haven't done yet such as the Me-110 etc. Their panel lines are terrible and their detail is not good, but they are better than nothing